Dr. George Samuel Alspach Jr.

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Antioch College Oregon State University

George Alspach Obituary

Dr. George Samuel Alspach Jr., 71, of Westminster, died Thursday, June 30, 2011. Born Feb. 5, 1940, in Newton, Mass., he was the son of the late George Samuel Sr. and Carolyn Spurr Ayres Alspach. He was the husband of Maggie Alspach. He attended Boston University and received his bachelor's degree from Antioch College. He obtained a doctorate in biology from Oregon State University and taught for 40 years at Western Maryland College, now McDaniel College, before retiring in 2006. He was an avid runner and sailor. He was a member of the Westminster Road Runners Club and completed 11 J.F.K. 50-mile runs and three Iditasport Challenges in Alaska. He was also a member of St. Barnabas Church in Sykesville where, in addition to serving on the vestry, he was on many committees and participated in the services of the church. Surviving, in addition to his wife, are daughter Sarah and husband Bruno Deroulede; son Peter Alspach and wife Maureen O'Leary; grandchildren Seamus and Patrick Alspach; step-children Ross Clingan, Matthew Clingan and wife Joyce, and Kristy Burke and husband Robert; step-grandchildren Alex and Adam Burke, and Jeremy Clingan; and sisters Lucy O'Connor and husband Steve, and Carolyn Hunt and husband Jim and their families. The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Friday at St. Barnabas Church, Forsythe Road, Sykesville. A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be sent to St. Barnabas Church, Building Fund, 7609 Main St., Sykesville, MD 21784; or to the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, 6 Herndon Ave., Annapolis, MD 21403. Arrangements are by Haight Funeral Home & Chapel in Sykesville. Online condolences may be offered at www.haightfuneralhome.com. Sign this guest book online at www.carrollcountytimes.com.

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Published by Carroll County Times from Jul. 3 to Jul. 4, 2011.

Memories and Condolences
for George Alspach

9 Entries

Karen Haughey

July 9, 2011

I was so sorry to hear about Dr. Alspach's passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you. He will be missed.

July 8, 2011

Decades after our graduation from high school, Sam & I reconnected at Frank Ward's 65th B-Day party and again at the 50th reuinion of our high school class a few years ago. Sam was in excellent health at those times: a lean & trim runner who participated in ultra-marathons. Sam & I shared our experiences in establishing undergraduate programs in environmental studies at colleges where we taught. A few months ago, Frank and I visited with Sam and Maggie and enjoyed a fine dinner at their home in Westminster. However, looming over that time of hospitality and fellowship was our great concern over Sam's fight with cancer during the previous few years. Sam was his cheerful self, but his weight was well below his ultra-marathon fitness.

We hoped & prayed for remission & recovery, but that was not to be; Sam's valiant struggle with disease & pain are over, and he has gone to be with his Lord & Saviour. I write this in sadness over our loss of Sam: especially Maggie's loss but also mine & all of Sam's friends & colleagues. But I also write this note with good memories of Sam's many accomplishments during his full life.

Bill Gilbert

July 8, 2011

I was saddened to hear of the passing of Dr. Alspach. My heart goes out to his family and close friends. From a part of his running family, a fond farewell. Beverly Harvey (Perry Hall, Md.)

Chris Hines

July 8, 2011

My favorite professor at McDaniel College…I am very saddened to hear this news and my thoughts go out to his entire family. Best wishes.

July 6, 2011

Such a kind man-I will miss sharing a pew with him at church. God bless you all, Holly

Shari Serafin

July 5, 2011

Dr. Alspach was assigned as my faculty advisor during my freshman year at WMC. Although I eventually became a business admin/economics major, I kept Dr. Alspach as my advisor for all 4 years because he was such a wonderful man. My sincere condolences to his family. May your hearts heal and your memories stay strong.

Wayne Parks

July 5, 2011

I was very saddened to hear the news about Dr. Alspach. He was one of my very favorite professors and really made a difference in my life while in college and beyond. I was fortunate enough to work with Sam one summer with his oyster research and I still regard that as one of my best experiences ever. He will be missed. My condolences go out to his family.

Jill Harmer

July 4, 2011

Maggie and family,

I was sorry to read about your loss. You are in my thoughts and prayers.

Ed Singer

July 4, 2011

I am overseas with the Army and unfortunately will not be able to pay my respects personally. I have not seen Dr. Alspach in a while, but he was certainly one of my more memorable professors. He and his family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

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